NERVE DISORDERS
Neuroma Specialist serving Miami and Hialeah, FL area
Effective Neuroma Care
A neuroma is thickening of the tissue surrounding a nerve that travels between the base of two toes. It is caused by repeated mild injury to the space between two toes, which can occur when footwear does not fit properly or in people that run frequently. The thickened tissue then causes pain in this area, especially felt when walking.
Diagnosis - A neuroma is first diagnosed based on the history of the type of pain someone is having. There are also ways to examine the foot that can diagnose this condition. In some cases an MRI is done to obtain pictures of the tissue in the foot.
Treatment - In developing a treatment plan, your podiatric surgeon will first determine how long you’ve had the neuroma and evaluate its stage of development. Treatment approaches vary according to the severity of the problem. For mild to moderate cases of neuroma, treatment options include:
Padding Padding techniques provide support for the metatarsal arch, thereby lessening the pressure on the nerve and decreasing the compression when walking.
Icing Placing an ice pack on the affected area helps reduce swelling.
Orthotic Devices Custom orthotic devices provided by your podiatric surgeon provide the support needed to reduce pressure and compression on the nerve.
Activity Modifications Activities that put repetitive pressure on the neuroma should be avoided until the condition improves.
Changes in Shoewear It’s important to wear shoes with a wide toe box and avoid narrow-toed shoes or shoes with high heels.
Medications Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, help reduce the pain and inflammation.
Injection Therapy If there is no significant improvement after initial treatment, injection therapy may be tried.
Without Treatment - The pain caused by a neuroma can progress and become severe.